Neighbors, landlords and even passersby may report suspected domestic violence to local authorities. People who are not in a position to directly intervene may ask for support from law enforcement professionals to protect people experiencing violence in their own homes.
Domestic violence calls are often very stressful for law enforcement professionals. They never know whether the people might be under the influence of mind-altering substances or in possession of a dangerous weapon. They also have to address what is likely a complicated situation rapidly and make a judgment call. In some cases, police officers assume domestic violence occurred when it did not or arrest the wrong person involved in an incident.
Why do officers misinterpret domestic violence scenarios?
There are several reasons that police officers may misinterpret circumstances during a domestic violence call. Contradictory statements from the people present could leave them unsure of what really occurred. In some cases, they look at the presence of wounds on either individual or extrapolate a few seconds of an argument that they heard upon their arrival to infer who is truly to blame for the situation.
Police officers may arrest people who acted in self-defense. Other times, they may blame someone engaging in reactive abuse after months of misconduct from the other party.
In some cases, both people involved acknowledge that they are partially responsibility for the situation and do not want the other prosecuted. Even in those circumstances, police officers may decide that they need to arrest one of the people present for the safety of the other or to uphold the law.
Those wrongfully accused of domestic violence often need to plan carefully if they hope to exonerate themselves. Fighting domestic violence charges is possible, especially when defendants have support.
